“You build roads and bridges, we build cities and nations.”
This was Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso’s message to the country’s civil engineers as he urged them take an active role in shaping a better, more resilient capital city.
The Mayor made this call on Friday, August 8, in his keynote address titled “Engineering Manila’s Future” at the gathering of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) in Manila.
“Kaya ako po ay nandito—handa’t bukas ang loob na makinig, makipag-dayalogo, at matuto. Kasi kung iisipin ninyo, hindi rin naman ganoon kalayo ang trabaho natin,” Domagoso said.
“Kayo, nag-eengineer ng mga tulay, kalsada, gusali, at drainage systems. Kami naman sa gobyerno, nag-eengineer ng mga programa, proyekto, at polisiya,” he said.
He emphasized that while engineers build physical infrastructure like roads and bridges, local governments engineer programs, policies, and systems that require equally sound planning, integrity, and execution.
Comparing the city to a complex machine, Domagoso stressed the need for each sector—from barangay officials to teachers, police officers, and engineers—to function in harmony.
Kasi kung iisipin ninyo, hindi rin naman ganoon kalayo ang trabaho natin. Kayo, nag-eengineer ng mga tulay, kalsada, gusali, at drainage systems. Kami naman sa gobyerno, nag-eengineer ng mga programa, proyekto, at polisiya. You build roads and bridges, we build cities and nations.
MANILA CITY MAYOR FRANCISCO “ISKO” MORENO DOMAGOSO
“Pag sira ang mga piyesa, humihinto ang Maynila. At kapag huminto ang Maynila, ang unang tinatamaan—ang ordinaryong Manileño,” he said.
Domagoso cited the early reforms made under his renewed mandate, including the weekly clean-up drives and declogging operations in all barangays, the signing of more than 40 executive orders, and daily field inspections across the city.
“Agad-agad nating inayos ang sistema. The results have been immediate, measurable, and visible,” he said, noting over 68,000 metric tons of garbage collected so far.
Looking beyond day-to-day services, the Mayor emphasized the long-term vision of his administration through the Make Manila Great Again 10-Year Comprehensive Development Strategy, which includes major infrastructure upgrades, flood control plans, housing projects, and educational and healthcare facilities.
“We are not thinking in terms of election cycles, but in terms of the next ten years,” he told the engineers.
Among the priority infrastructure projects mentioned were Binondominium 2, the reconstruction of the Old Ospital ng Maynila, the redevelopment of Lawton Underpass, and the revitalization of Plaza Azul.
Future plans also include underground cabling, smarter classrooms, improved public spaces, and sustainable transport systems.
Domagoso challenged the engineering community to help bring these plans to life.
“The work of making Manila great again cannot be completed by one man, or by one LGU alone. I cannot do it alone,” he said.
“Kailangan natin ng mga inhinyero na magaling at may integridad upang magtagumpay ang Maynila.”
